I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Kyle snuggling up with his beloved pappy on his pillow. c. 2003

Looking at Kyle from a distance, he’s definitely more a man than a little boy. He’s nearly as tall as me, leaned out and he’s even carrying himself with purpose. However, every now and again he does something that screams little boy, and I can’t help but notice and smile.

This past Saturday, we were watching The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. (for the countless time, it’s one of our favorite movie series) True to Kyle’s idiosyncrasies, he turned off all the lights to set the movie watching mood, then he pulled up a pillow. Okay, pulling up a pillow to get comfortable isn’t weird, but he pulled up the dog’s bed and proceeded to snuggle in, right in front of the television, on the floor.

You see, when Kyle as a little tyke he loved to sprawl out on the floor in front of the boob tube. He would try and get as close as humanly possible. It became an issue with us having to pull him back, while he always protested. Eventually, we came to an agreement and he knew where the line was established. I’m guessing that was ingrained in Kyle, because he stayed at the borderline on Saturday.

The action with dog pillow cracked me up too. When Kyle was a baby, four months old to be exact, right after his dad passed away, I painted and redecorated Ryan’s old bedroom at my parent’s house for Kyle, since we knew he’d be living with us part-time. I also wanted him to feel he was always welcomed and was at home. (Kyle has a room at my house too.) I embellished Kyle’s room with items for children, while leaving little pieces of his dad here and there. To really polish off the child’s domain, I made Kyle curtains. The fabric I chose had red trucks and dogs printed on solid blue, red, white and yellow blocked backgrounds. I even embellished the curtains with large primary colored buttons. They were very cute and cheerful, especially considering our state of mind at that time, dealing with the loss of Ryan. Anyway, upon completion of the curtains, I realized I had a lot of extra fabric left. What to do with the material? Turn it into an over-sized pillow of course. I stitched up the rectangle sides and made Kyle a huge pillow, roughly twenty-four inches by thirty-six inches. It took a lot of stuffing, but I made this, unbeknownst to me at the time, favorite pillow of Kyle’s.

Kyle hanging with Pap & Jake, the pillow was always nearby. c. 2004

Naturally, when Kyle was a baby, he didn’t really take notice to the pillow. As he grew older, I’d find him dragging it throughout the house to lay on, or he used it as a nesting spot to play with his cars and trucks. Soon, when he discovered cartoons, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Thomas the Tank, Bear in the Big Blue House, and George Shrinks (Kyle and my dad’s favorite) to name a few, Kyle would pull that pillow in prime watching position on the floor, which were hardwood, for ultimate viewing comfort.

Kyle loved that pillow! Even though I don’t think he remembers it nowadays. So much so, that eventually the once fluffy pillow became beat down and lumpy, especially after many justified washes. Eventually, I opened up the stitching, and replaced the stuffing to get a few more years out of it. Back then, Kyle loved doing anything with me, and he certainly assisted with the process, which I very much enjoyed.

To be honest, I’m really not sure when we decided to give up on the pillow, and tossed it once and for all, but it no longer resides on the floor, in front of the television. That place is reserved for the dogs. I’m sure before removing that staple from the house, I consulted Kyle on the decision, to avoid a childhood scar like I endured regarding my banky (blanket). I’ll explain that situation one day.

Now the present, and Kyle’s on the dog’s therapeutic bed, which he drug in front of the television to watch the movie in the dark. Just like old times. My little man’s still in there! Kyle will always be my little man!

One day at a time—this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering. ~ Ida Scott Taylor

Uncle Sonny & dad bathing at gram & paps. 3/1958

With each day, time passes, that’s inevitable. Even though I am aware of this part of life, it still takes me by surprise when a lot of hours, days, months and even years add up to create a single moment. I’m not talking about something as significant as a graduation or an anniversary. Nope, I’m talking about the silent surprises that appear out of nowhere that have a huge impact.

What pray-tell am I talking about? Kyle’s jeans! Yes that very common piece of clothing worn by men, women and children all over the world, or at least that’s my assumption. Jeans, that rugged leg covering that can be dressed up or down.

This past weekend Kyle and I were helping dad stack and split firewood, getting ready for winter. Naturally, Kyle didn’t come prepared with pants of any kind, only shorts. Pants, that piece of clothing usually doesn’t make its appearance until snow flies, even then Kyle will argue about wearing pants as opposed to shorts. Anyway, since we were running the log splitter and dad was using the chainsaw and there have been sightings of copperhead snakes around, dad wanted Kyle’s legs to be protected with jeans. Good thinking! Well, not according to Kyle, but that’s a separate issue.

Of course the house is always stocked up with items for Kyle, since he’s always lived with us part-time. But recently, he’s grown out of his weekend staples. Upon getting ready, I really wasn’t paying much attention until Kyle came out wearing a pair of nice jeans. I mean that. They fit him around the waist and even the length wasn’t too long. “Kyle where did you get those jeans?” I asked only because they looked familiar. With a big smirk Kyle replied, “I don’t know.”, knowing very well he took an extra pair of my jeans I had at mom and dad’s. Then, it hit, “Those are MY jeans!” Kyle shrugged his shoulders as if he was too cool for the conversation, yet couldn’t quite suppress that ornery grin.

Personally, I could care less Kyle wears my cloths and he knows it. Seriously. Unless he started wearing my skirts and dresses, I might not be too comfortable with that, but no matter what, I love Kyle with all my heart. Still, Kyle wearing my jeans, that fit him pretty good, took me by surprise.

When did that happen? I mean Kyle’s been wearing my t-shirts for years, claiming they fit him. I never cared because they’re just t-shirts and can be worn baggy, but my jeans? Really? Kyle and I have had the same size shoes for a year or two now. His foot is now starting to grow again, but for some reason that never hit me hard, probably because I’ve always had small feet, so it was never a big deal. But jeans? That’s a whole other topic.

Kyle running around as a bee at Uncle Sonny’s. He was a little over 2 years old. 10/2003

I remember the days when Kyle would flop around in my shoes and would be silly just for the heck of it. Now Kyle can’t get his chubby foot in my shoes and is becoming too cool for such goofiness.

There was a time when Kyle and I would draw mustaches on post-it notes and stick them to our upper lip. Then, we would walk around like bow legged cowboys holstering pistols. Yes, it’s true! It was hilarious. Kyle would exaggerate his steps toward me with his hands in position over imaginary handguns on either side of his hips. Keep in mind Kyle, as with myself, was sporting a yellow post-it note on our faces with a drawn mustache. It was too funny! I used to die! Later on, to help Kyle with his scissor skills, we would cut the paper into fringes and the shape of a mustache, only using a pen to accent the lines. Now-a-days, Kyle has a real, subtle mind you, mustache. My dad calls it the caterpillar.

When Kyle is acting up or in trouble, dad will say, “Don’t make the caterpillar mad” or “Look at the caterpillar quiver!” Even Kyle can’t keep a straight face for that one!

It wasn’t that long ago, I guess about ten years or so when Kyle was two, maybe three and he yelled for me to come into the bathroom where he was showering. First of all, that doesn’t happen anymore. Kyle does not run around naked like he used to, which I am thankful for. Secondly, he doesn’t need me to be right by his side as he showers. He used to love the company while showering. Although, I will admit, we had a lot of great conversations during this time. I guess because he had my undivided attention, Kyle’s favorite kind. Nope. Those days are long gone. But one time in particular, when Kyle yelled for me to come and see something, I was totally taken off guard. Thinking it was a bug or something trivial, I pulled back the shower curtain in a very blasé manner, almost annoyed, to be faced with Kyle’s armpit. What? Yes, he had his arm stretched to the ceiling exposing the under skin.

I had no idea what I was suppose to be looking at. He just pushed the armpit closer to my eyes, which my eyesight has always been and still is stellar.
Me: “What Kyle?”
Kyle: “Loot, Aiya”
Me: “Loot at what Narrow?”
Kyle: “Loot, I have a hair!”

I died! He thought he saw a hair under his arm and he swears it was attached. I was almost in tears laughing so hard. He had no idea what was so funny, which made the situation even more comical. Trying to regain my composure to get the kid to finish his shower and get out, I wiped the area with my hand to show him there was no hair.

Me: “Kyle I don’t see anything.”
Kyle: “Ya, ha, it was there Aiya.”
Me: Trying to let him down nicely, but never lying to the kid, “Honey, maybe it was one of my hairs that attached to your armpit?”
Kyle: “No Aiya, it was attached. Maybe I washed it off?”
Me: “Maybe, but you don’t have armpit hair yet.”
Kyle: “Ya I do!”
Me: “No, look honey, nope, no hair and I have perfect vision.”
Kyle: “Ahh”

At that moment, I was taught by Kyle not to take anything for granted and never get annoyed with the young man’s requests, even as silly as they might be, they could be a story to tell later on and laugh about.

Presently, Kyle does have a few sprigs of hair growing under his armpit region. He is becoming quite the man. Soon he will surpass me in height and weight. Although, like I’ve always told Kyle, I will ALWAYS be able to take him down! Our little man is growing up and I’m very proud of him! He’s still as much today as he was as a two year old. I hope he always remains silly.

How much does one imagine, how much observe? One can no more separate those functions than divide light from air, or wetness from water. ~Elspeth Huxley

Me & Kyle at Idlewild Park for the Gutchess Picnic 2003

It’s funny how everyone’s perception is different from the next person to the next to the next and so on. Then, if you compare an adult’s perception, or usually a lack there of, with a child’s, the possibilities are endless.

Since Kyle’s birthday, it had me really thinking and reminiscing. We just measured Kyle on the back of his bedroom door in the beginning of August, which we’ve been doing since he was a little tyke of three years. This year I realized we missed two years in a row, ages eleven and twelve. How did that happened? I have no idea. Probably everyone getting busy and running around, that sort of thing. But luckily I got us back on track this year.

It’s funny, when I mentioned it to Kyle about measuring him up on the door, he got this ornery look to him, the same one he’s projected since we started this tradition. Seriously, the exact same look of excitement. In fact, he’s always too thrilled to be measured and see his progress compared to the last measurement. He’s always loved watching his own growth, as have I.

You see Kyle has always been a short and compact package. Yes, our little man has consistently displayed signs of being vertically challenged. Over the years, we’ve mentally made note of Kyle compared to the rest of the kids in his daycare, elementary school and now junior high. Without argument, he’s notoriously been in the shorter group. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, just a mental note. However, over the last couple of years, Kyle has really started to stretch up.

This attention to height was most certainly not brought on by my family nor me, it came from the one an only, Kyle. Yes, from the time he could walk for some reason he became obsessed with his height. All on his own. Perhaps it was something heard in passing, unintentionally, or something he saw or most likely something perceived. Regardless, Kyle has always kept tabs on his own growth progress, with respect to vertical distance. He never cared about his horizontal circumference.

This is a 10 years span of Kyle’s growth, from 3 yrs to 13 yrs. My how he has grown! 8/16/14

How do we know? There was a day that brought this observation to our attention. It started with me sleeping on the couch. Yes, I was taking one of my famous naps, not that naps are famous or unusual but in our family I am notorious for my midday naps, usually on Sunday. I LOVE naps. Anyway, I was laying on my back on the couch with my legs stretched out in front of me. I’m guessing I looked like someone deceased in a casket, with my hands folded over my chest, but regardless, Kyle didn’t take in that comparison. Nope, instead he took notice to the length of my legs.

Mom later told me that Kyle was playing on the floor right beside me, like he usually did and stopped to look up at my resting body. Kyle turned to my mom and said, “Gigi, when I get older I want long legs like Aiya (Aunt Heather).” What made him notice my legs? And what made my legs look longer than anyone else’s is beyond me? Mom and I were cracking up. Mom thinks it was just the way I laying that gave the illusion of longer legs. But then again to a two year old, or so, I guess I did look giant like.

To be honest, I was flabbergasted! I am taller for a chick, but not abnormally tall by no means. My five foot six inch stature doesn’t measure up to some of my female cousins who are closer to six foot. Let’s not even talk about some of the dudes in the family, easy six foot plus. Granted, my mom might hit a little over five foot couple inches, and my dad has shrunk quite a bit over the years to slightly taller than me. My sister always beat me by a few inches, but she too has shrunk. I guess we are a family of about the same height. My brother on the other hand, made the six foot mark. Plus, his long lanky legs gave him the illusion of a skyscraper.

Kyle’s asked about his dad with respect to height and we’ve informed him about Ryan’s beanpole physic and tall stature. I guess since Ryan has moved on to a better place, I’m the next best thing for Kyle to gauge his progress. I’ll take it any day!

Regardless, ever since that faithful day, Kyle truly has always measured his legs against mine, keeping tabs and waiting for the day he surpassed me. Now that he’s thirteen, he measures in at about five foot two inches, just under my mom, resting just above my chin. Our little man is truly growing up before our eyes.

Over years, I never wanted Kyle to focus too hard on his height. He does have the genes to be short or tall, it’s a coin toss. I’ve always told him it doesn’t matter how tall he is or ends up to be, what’s really important is that he walks in the way of the Lord and demonstrates qualities of humility, compassion, integrity and forgiveness. I’ve also told him he is very blessed for God giving him such an insightful brain and intelligence and two working legs. Not to mention the kid does have a strong personality, when he wants to. In my eyes, he has it all, regardless of his height.

I guess the stress of some are not understood by others. I’m not saying Kyle is obsessed over his height, but he does take note. I hope no matter what God’s plans are for Kyle, whatever path he is headed toward, I hope Kyle is appreciative and really focuses on what’s truly important in life, for he is truly blessed!

Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself. ~John MacNaughton

Ringing in 2009 with a new smile 12/31/08

You know, Kyle didn’t lose his first tooth until he was in the third grade, he’s in the fifth grade now. In fact, I plucked that tooth out on New Year’s Eve Day. It took me a better part of the day to convince Kyle to let me pull it out. It’s amazing how the one little tooth drove me crazy just hanging there. And it’s amazing how the idea of pulling one little tooth stressed him out. Kyle’s not the bravest when it comes to pain or blood, let alone the thought of it. I think that was and always is Kyle’s biggest fear, the unknown. Well, maybe not the unknown per se, but his perception of what it should be like, his imagination spinning completely out of control. Anyway, at this point, Kyle was upset because all the kids in his class already lost at least one tooth, not to mention those that have already lost all baby teeth replaced by adult teeth. None of this was a concern to me, not one bit. In fact, I was very happy that Kyle was a late bloomer. I want him to be a kid as long as he can and really enjoy his childhood. Not to mention, we Pipers are generally late bloomers. So he certainly fits the Piper profile. My mom, not a Piper by birthright, didn’t lose her last baby tooth until she was in her early twenties. I don’t think I lost my last one until I was Kyle’s age now, somewhere in fifth grade or so, maybe later.

Kyle ringing in the New Year! Of course with the least amount of clothing on 12/31/09

I remember when my teeth were starting to fall out. My pappy would get out his red handkerchief and try to attach it to the smooth sides of the tiny tooth to give him some grip and pull. I remember we had a hard time getting one of my teeth out. I was never grossed out or feared pulling out my teeth. Sitting on the sink in the bathroom and starring at the hanging tooth and examining the root was fascinating to me. However, not all of my baby teeth fell out naturally. You see, at one point, my adult teeth started to surface along side my baby teeth. Would you believe my baby teeth never loosened up? So needless to say, it became very crowded very quickly. Mom had to take me to the dentist to give an eviction notice to those who would not leave the premises. On a side note, I guess I shouldn’t be so hard on Kyle because that particular visit didn’t go as bravely as I may have remembered. I know the dentist wanted to give me a shot of Novocaine before he began yanking out the culprits. Ambushing my dentist with a slight over reaction started the whole adventure. I do remember waiting until he approached my mouth with the needle before I forceably moved his hands, needle included, out of their course of action. That did result in me shooting the dentist in the arm with the needle of Novocaine, which ultimately resulted in me getting yelled at by the dentist, getting a shot anyway, and the removal of a few stubborn baby teeth. On my defense, I think I was suffering from PTSD when I was attacked by a dog and the side of my face, near my eye, had to be stitched up.

I plucked Kyle's first tooth on New Year's Eve - Ringing in 2009 12/31/08

Regardless, back to Kyle. He still comments on the lack of teeth he’s lost comparatively to what he has, as well as his friends. But I have been telling him that they’ll eventually come out. Of course not mentioning my experience or the fact he may need to get them removed professionally. I think I’ll deal with that situation when the time comes.

Now, to lighten the tooth pulling mood, this story needs to be shared just for the simple humor and innocence that resides in the mind of Kyle. Let’s talk about armpit hair! Or I really should say, the invisible armpit hair. One evening during Kyle’s nightly ritual of showering he summoned me to the bathroom. I heard him saying, “Aunt Heather, look! I can see it!” I thought, “What in the world is he seeing in the shower? Keep in mind, he was probably six or seven years old. I pushed the shower curtain aside and asked, “What’s wrong honey?” While raising his arm, exposing the armpit, Kyle starts telling me that he saw a hair. What? O my! Did he just say he saw a hair? That was the funniest thing I think I’ve ever heard. Now keep in mind, I don’t think Kyle even had any hair on his legs, if very few and they were blonde! Again, back to being a late bloomer. In disbelief I asked, “What did you see?” His response as clear as day was, “Ya, Aunt Heather, look! I have a hair.” I proceeded to tell him there was no hair. But he wouldn’t believe me. He said, “Look closer, Aunt Heather! I saw a hair!” Again, even though he was thoroughly convinced there was a hair in his armpit, I reiterated there was no hair. In fact, he would not give up on the idea, he said, “O, it must have fallen out when I was scrubbing.” What a card! He stood there, holding up his arm to expose the armpit to me for complete examination. That was too funny!! A real Kyle classic.

Kyle with Scooby Ringing in 2010! 12/31/09

Dad is to blame for that one. You see, even to this day, he sometimes likes to tease Kyle poking at his armpits and saying, “I think I see a bush! Is that a bush under there!” Kyle always did and still does giggle and gets very ticklish. I must say, it is kinda funny. Kyle is now ten, and still no armpit hair.

I guess there are all sorts of growing pains and many more to talk about. Maybe later. After all, it seems to be around the corner. Kyle is growing up so fast.